Waterford, PA, USA
N7192M
Robinson R-22B
Once at his planned destination, the pilot conducted a high reconnaissance at 800 feet agl, and maneuvered the helicopter to land in an open field. While on short final and approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot slowed the helicopter to approximately 10 knots, and while trying to identify a level area to land in, struck a wire between the cockpit and main rotor system. The helicopter entered an uncontrolled vertical descent, impacted the ground skids first, and came to rest upright. The field the pilot was attempting to land in was green, the poles were concealed by trees, and the wire was oxidized to a shade of green. In addition, the owner of the property was in the field, and pointing at the wire, but the pilot interpreted his gestures, as he wanted him to stop so he could take a picture of the helicopter.
On April 20, 2003, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N7192M, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while landing in an open field near Waterford, Pennsylvania. The certified private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from the Beaver County Airport (BVI), Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. A flight plan was not filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport, preflighted the helicopter, and boarded. He started the engine, completed the runup checks per the checklist, and hover taxied to the "west ramp" for a southeast departure. The pilot climbed to an initial altitude of 2,000 feet msl, and the flight progressed without incident to his planned destination, which was a friend's farm approximately 50 miles southeast of Beaver Airport. Once at his planned destination, the pilot conducted a high reconnaissance at 800 feet agl. During the reconnaissance, he identified two possible landing areas. One of the landing areas contained several horses, and approximately four individuals. The other was void of animals and people, and the owner of the property was walking towards it, which gave the pilot the impression he wanted him to land in that area. Unaware of the wire, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to approach the second landing area from the northeast, into the wind. While on short final and approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot slowed the helicopter to approximately 10 knots, and while trying to identify a level area to land in, struck a wire between the cockpit and main rotor system. The helicopter entered an uncontrolled vertical descent, impacted the ground skids first, and came to rest upright. The pilot then secured all the systems and exited. The pilot added that the field he was attempting to land in was green, the poles were concealed by trees, and the wire was constructed of copper and was oxidized to a shade of green. The pilot stated that while on the approach, the owner of the property was carrying a camera, and pointing in the direction of the helicopter with his thumb partially sticking up. The pilot interpreted this, as he wanted him to hold his position to take a picture. Not wanting to slow below effective translational lift, the pilot continued the approach. After the accident, the pilot learned that the property owner was actually pointing at the wire, and not trying to get him to stop in order to take a picture.
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in the collision with the wire. Factors in the accident were the concealment of the poles by trees, the lack of contrast between the wire and grass field.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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